Chapter 4: Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life

A compound contains hydroxyl groups as it predominant functional group. Which of the following statements is TRUE concerning this compound?
1. It is probably a lipid
2. It should dissolve in water
3. It should dissolve in non polar solvent
4. It won't form hydrogen bonds with water
5. It is hydrophobic
Which of the following elements is the most abundant (percent dry weight) in both humans and bacteria?
1. oxygen
2. carbon
3. hydrogen
4. nitrogen
5. phosphorus
What is the reason why hydrocarbons are not soluble in water?
1. They are hydrophilic
2. The C-H bond is non polar
3. They do not ionize
4. They are large molecules.
5. They are lighter than water
Which of the following is TRUE of geometric isomers?
1. They have variations in arrangement around a double bond.
2. They have an asymmetric carbon that makes them mirror images
3. They have the same chemical properties.
4. They have different molecular formulas.
5. Their atoms and bonds are arranged in different sequences.
Which property of the carbon atom gives it compatibility with a greater number of different elements than any other type of atom?
1. Carbon has 6-8 neutrons.
2. Carbon has a valence of 4.
3. Carbon forms ionic bonds
4. Only A and C are correct
5. A, B, and C are correct
Organic chemistry is a science based on the study of
1. functional groups
2. vital forces interacting with matter
3. carbon compounds
4. water and its interaction with other kinds of molecules
5. the properties of oxygen
How many electron pairs does carbon share in order to complete its valence shell?
1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4
5. 5
Which of the following contains nitrogen in addition to carbon, oxygen and hydrogen?
1. an alcohol such as ethanol
2. a compound of fats such as glycerol
3. a steroid such as testosterone
4. an amino acid such as glycine
5. a hydrocarbon such as bezene
Which is the best description of a carbonyl group?
1. a carbon and hydrogen atom
2. an oxygen double-bonded to a carbon and a hydroxyl group
3. a nitrogen and a hydrogen bonded to a carbon atom
4. a sulfur and a hydrogen bonded to a carbon atom
5. a carbon atom joined to an oxygen atom by a double bond
Which of the follwoing is a FALSE statement concerning amine groups?
1. They are basic
2. They are found in animo acids
3. They contain nitrogen
4. They are non polar
5. They are components of urea.
How many structural isomers are possible for butane having the molecular formula C₄H₁₀?
1. 1
2. 2
3. 4
4. 5
5. 8
Which two functional groups are always found in amino acids?
1. amine and sulfhydryl
2. carbonyl and carboxyl
3. carboxyl and amine
4. alcohol and aldehyde
5. ketone and amine
Amino acids are acids because they possess which functional group?
1. amino
2. alcohol
3. carboxyl
4. sulfhydryl
5. aldehyde
A carbon skeleton is covalently bonded to both an amino group and a carboxyl group. When placed in water,
1. it would function only as an acid because of the carboxyl group.
2. it would function only as a base because of the amino group.
3. it would function as neither an acid nor a base.
4. it would function as both an acid and a base.
5. it is impossible to determine how it would function.
Which functional groups can act as acids?
1. amine and sulfhydryl
2. carbonyl and carboxyl
3. carboxyl and phosphate
4. alcohol and aldehyde
5. ketone and amine
Which of the following is an alcohol?

A R'-OH
B. R'-C=O
C. R'-COOH
D. R'-NH2
E. R'-SH
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
5. E
Which is an amine?

A R'-OH
B. R'-C=O
C. R'-COOH
D. R'-NH2
E. R'-SH
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
5. E
Which is a carboxyl group?

A R'-OH
B. R'-C=O
C. R'-COOH
D. R'-NH₂
E. R'-SH
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
5. E
A chemist wishes to make an organic molecule less acidic. Which of the following functional groups should she add to the molecule?
1. carboxyl
2. sulfhydryl
3. hydroxyl
4. amino
5. phosphate
Which type of molecule would be most abundant in a typical cell?
1. hydrocarbon
2. protein
3. water
4. lipid
5. carbohydrate
The concept of vitalism is based on a belief in a life force outside the jurisdiction of physical and chemical laws. According to this belief, organic compounds can arise only within living organisms. Which of the following did the most to refute the concept of vitalism?
1. Wohler's synthesis of urea.
2. Berzelius's definition of organic molecules.
3. Miller's experiments with ancient atmospheres
4. Rodriguez's studies of phytochemicals
5. Kolbe's synthesis of acetic acid
Recent research suggests that side effects from attention deficit treatment Ritalin may be caused by contamination of enantiomers that are
1. mirror images of one another.
2. different in their spatial arrangement.
3. different in their location of double bonds.
4. different in their shapes.
5. different in their charges.